Help for storm victims proposed

Press, 1 February 1983, Page 3

Help for storm victims proposed

Wellington reporter A series of propositions to help the affected farmers cope with the results of the January 19 storm in Christchurch have been put to Federated Farmers by the member of Parliament for Selwyn. Miss Ruth Richardson. Preliminary estimates by the Ministry of Agriculture indicated that crops over about 28.000 ha had been affected, she said. Crops typically affected in the storm ranged from barley and small seeds to specialist horticultural berry crops, as well as the whole range of market garden and contract beans and peas. There had been attempts in the past to explore interest in comprehensive insurance schemes, and Miss Richardson now sought to revive that interest. She said that in particular the federation might care to discuss with its agricultural section the merit of extending such insurance schemes to the crops under .the section's jurisdiction. The federation might also care to discuss with the Vegetable and Produce Growers' Federation a cover-

age of the commodities under the federation's wing. Farmers accepted that they conducted their business with the elements and had long turned their back on the concept of ex-gratia taxpayer handouts in the face of such adverse climatic events. Miss Richardson said. However, it seemed sensible to engage in the maximum degree of self-help in spite of the very good facilities now available through the Rural Bank Adverse Events Relief Scheme.